‘Good’ For Swimming

LEIGH’S Bell Wharf Beach has been rated ‘good’ for water cleanliness in a recent ranking system.

Leigh is one of a number of seaside locations across the country to feature in a league table created by Holiday Park Guru.

Holiday Park Guru used Environment Agency data based on “7,000 samples at 424 bathing waters in England” which is ‘calculated annually based on samples from the previous four years” to make the table, with Essex coming 11th out of 19 seaside counties.

53% of Essex’s official bathing spots were rated as ‘excellent’ (three stars) for water cleanliness in summer, including Shoeburyness and Frinton.

The water testing location at Leigh Bell Wharf is currently a two-star location, meaning ‘good’.

Other local testing points include Southend Chalkwell (which also won two stars) and Southend Westcliff Bay (which won three stars).

The ‘winners’ are being offered complimentary brown flags featuring a popular emoji to display for swimmers. These beaches are rated as ‘poor’ by the Environment Agency due to bacteria such as e-coli from sewage and other waste.

No beach in Essex won the accolade of the ignominious brown flag, as all were at least rated good as a minimum, meaning the rating considers them safe for swimming.

Keen sea-swimmer, Robbie Lane from Holiday Park Guru said: “We’re hoping to make a real splash in the papers with the launch of England’s first ever ‘Brown Flag Awards’!

“Commiserations to our 13 winners this year – you really are top of the plops.

“We just hope they’ll take up our offer of a free brown flag, although I’m afraid we can’t quite afford to provide a flagpole as well.”

Whilst the ‘Brown Flag Awards’ use official Environment Agency data, it does not have any official link with the Environment Agency or any other awards.

A spokesperson added: “It is rather intended as a tongue-in-cheek award to support the campaign for cleaner beaches.”

Picture: One of the joke flags. Pic Holiday Park Guru

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